Syrah is an amazing varietal that, unfortunately, hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves. Because of that, it is gradually disappearing from Napa, being replaced by the more economically successful Cabernet Sauvignon. Syrah is the one grape that we do not grow at the estate, as it is not well suited for Spring Mountain.
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Wine Varietals at Keenan Winery
January 3, 2018
Keenan Winery produces Bordeaux style wines of the following varietals:
Keenan Cabernet
The following provides a retrospective look at these wine varietals and how each has evolved throughout the history of winemaking at the Keenan Winery estate in the world-famous Napa Valley, California. And if you’d prefer to skip the history and go straight to our online wine store, that’s fine by us too!
Merlot
Our Spring Mountain, high-elevation terroir brings out the best in Merlot. In addition to the dark-cherry fruit core and ever-present round, velvety pleasure-giving qualities of all great Merlots, the mountain setting adds great structure, tannins, minerality and spice notes, which make our Merlots some of the best in the New World.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel was actually the most planted varietal in Napa and certainly on Spring Mountain at the turn of the 19th century. Planted by mostly Italian immigrants, these wines were more savory and herbaceous than most of the Zins made today, which tend to lean to the sweeter and higher alcohol side.
Proprietary Blends
We regularly produce two proprietary blends: The Keenan Mernet and the Keenan Summer Blend. Both are exceptionally popular and quickly sell out. Our Mernet (MERlot + CaberNET = Mernet) is highly acclaimed and a must-have. Our Summer Blend is in such demand that it always sells out at our annual Keenan Open House and never makes it to our online store (don’t shoot the messenger!)
Experimental Wines
Experimental is probably not quite the right word. Perhaps Extraordinary would be better. As in, well beyond the ordinary. For the full story, you’ll have to ask Reilly Keenan. But, in the meantime, suffice to say, these wines are produced with unusual grape varieties we grow in tiny quantities and/or one-of-a-kind concepts. The one thing you can be sure of: they are always mouth-wateringly delicious.
